Device to pack articles in boxes

ABSTRACT

A pickup assembly having vacuum cups to pick up a layer of fruit has two handles for manual movement between a pickup position at a supply station and a depositing position at a box. The pickup assembly is suspended from an overhead boom which acts as counter-balance means and is powered for boosting action at certain points in the operating cycle. Since proper nesting of fruit in a box requires layers of alternate patterns, the pickup assembly comprises a main pickup head with multiple rows of vacuum cups, a first single row auxiliary head cooperative with the main head to pick up a layer of one of the alternate patterns and a second single row auxiliary head for cooperation with the main head to pick up the other pattern, the two auxiliary heads being mounted on an auxiliary frame that is manually operable to move the two auxiliary heads to their cooperative positions alternately. With the pickup assembly poised to pick up a new layer of fruit, it is boosted downwardly into engagement with the fruit. If all of the vacuum cups engage fruit, means responsive to the consequent drop in air pressure boosts the pickup assembly upwardly to initiate movement towards the box. As the empty pickup assembly is lifted from the box, the operator manually shifts the auxiliary frame in preparation for picking up a layer of the alternate pattern.

United States Patent Paddock s4] DEVICE T0 PACK ARTICLES IN BOXES [72]Inventor: Paul F. Paddock, 4051 Watkins Drive, Riverside, Calif. 92507221 Filed: June 5, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 57,403

' Related US. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 784,820, Dec.18, 1968,

Pat. No. 3,609,938. I

[52] US. Cl. ..193/7, 53/164, 198/30,

294/65 [51] Int. Cl ..B65g 1 l/00 [58] Field of Search..53/ 164; 193/7;198/30; 294/64, 294/65; 141/170, 235

Primary Examiner-Richard E. Aegerter Assistant Examiner-H. S. LaneAttorney-Paul A. Weilein [151 3,685,624 [451 Aug. 22, 1972 ABSTRACT Apickup assembly having vacuum cups to pick up a layer of fruit has twohandles for manual movement between a pickup position at a supplystation and a depositing position at a box. The pickup assembly issuspended from an overhead boom which acts as counter-balance means andis powered for boosting action at certain points in the operating cycle.Since proper nesting of fruit in a box requires layers of alternatepatterns, the pickup assembly comprises a main pickup head with multiplerows of vacuum cups, a first single row auxiliary head cooperative withthe main head to pick up a layer of one of the alternate patterns and asecond single row auxiliary head for cooperation with the main head topick up the other pattern, the two auxiliary heads being mounted on anauxiliary frame that is manually operable to move the two auxiliaryheads to their cooperative positions alternately. With the pickupassembly poised to pick up a new layer of fruit, it is boosteddownwardly into engagement with the fruit. If all of the vacuum cupsengage fruit, means responsive to the consequent drop in air pressureboosts the pickup assembly upwardly to initiate movement towards thebox. As the empty pickup assembly is lifted from the box, the operatormanually shifts the auxiliary frame in preparation for picking up alayer of the alternate pattern.

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INVENTOR P404 A P40006/( P'ATEMTEMm m2 aeeasm SHEET 10 0F 10 o o o o o oo o o o a o o o o no INVENTOR 24% F 1 44949061 DEVICE TO PACK ARTICLESIN BOXES CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is aDivision of my copending application, Ser. NO. 784,820, filed Dec. 18,1968, now US. Pat. No. 3,609,938, dated Oct. 5, 1971.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the past, boxes of citrus fruit werepacked entirely by hand, a worker using two hands to transfer theindividual fruit from a convenient supply to a box. Since alternatelayers in a box should partially nest together for compactness and tominimize bruising, the operator would arrange the fruit in two alternatelayer patterns. For example, one such pattern of four rows of fruit hasfive fruit in the fruit and third rows and six fruit in the second andfourth rows, while the alternate pattern has six fruit in the first andthird rows and five fruit in the second and fourth rows.

The high cost of such a manual packing procedure has led to thedevelopment of automatic and semi-automatic packing machines for higherproduction rates at lower labor cost. Such a machine, for example, mayemploy two different supply chutes that are adapted to supply the fruitin layers of the two patterns, respectively, and may further employ twodifferent pickup heads designed, respectively, to pick up the twopatterns. Each pickup head picks up its own pattern of fruit from itsown supply chute and then moves to a position to deposit the fruit in abox, the two pickup heads moving to the box alternately so that onepickup head is depositing one layer of fruit in the box while the otherpickup head is engaging a second layer of the fruit at its supply chute.

Such a packing machine obviously requires a high capital investment.Such a machine, moreover, is complicated with a large number ofcoordinated working parts. Whenever it is necessary to stop the machinefor repair, adjustment or changeover to a new fruit size, production ofa whole department may be brought to a standstill at a high hourly cost.

There is a pressing need, therefore, for a less costly and lesscomplicated fruit packing apparatus, that, on the one hand, affords aproduction rate greatly exceeding a wholly manual packing procedure and,on the other hand, does not rely completely on automation. Such anapparatus should be capable of picking up a whole layer of fruit andshould have some automatic or at least highly convenient features tosave tim and effort, but the operating cycle should rely heavily on theoperator rather than depend on a complete built-in program. I

The hypothetical apparatus would be especially desirable for arelatively small operator who cannot afford to invest in a fullyautomatic packing machine and who does not pack enough fruit for fullutilization of such a large machine. The proposed machine would also beadvantageous for an operator who packs a moderately large volume offruit because, conceivably, a plurality of the machines would becompetitive with a large automatic packer when certain considerationsare taken into account. For example, a temporary failure would merelyreduce the overall production of a packing department instead ofbringing it to a dead stop; the production capacity of the packingdepartment may be expanded in steps by buying new machines at moderateunit cost; and the proposed machine may be small enough and light enoughto be readily transported from one growing area to another for use indifferent ripening reasons in different parts of the country.

The general object of the present invention is to provide what may beaptly termed a packer's aid to meet the above explained need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention provides a manually movablepickup means or pickup assembly with a plurality of vacuum cups andfurther provides suitable counterbalance means for at least partiallysupporting the assembly to reduce the manual effort required to pick upa layer of fruit at a supply station and to transport the fruit to a boxat a a packing station. To enable the pickup assembly to pick up layersof alternate patterns, the assembly incorporates a main pickup head witha plurality of rows of vacuum cups, a first auxiliary pickup head with asingle row of vacuum cups for cooperation with the main head to pick upa layer of one of the two alternate patterns, and a second auxiliarypickup head with a single row of vacuum cups for cooperation with themain head to pick up a layer of the alternate pattern. The two auxiliarypickup heads are mounted on an auxiliary frame of the pickup assemblythat is manually rotatable between two positions for placing the twoauxiliary pickup heads at their effective positions alternately. One oftwo handle means by means of which the pickup assembly is maneuvered isalso operative for manual rotation of the auxiliary frame and theauxiliary frame is automatically engaged by a releasable latch when itis moved to either one of its two alternate positions.

An air pump is connected to the vacuum cups of the main pickup head andto the vacuum cups of whichever of the two auxiliary pickup heads is atits effective position and with the air pump in operation, movement ofthe pickup assembly against a group of fruit at the supply stationresults automatically in vacuum engagement of the fruit. If all of thevacuum heads effectively engage fruit, the pressure in a vacuum supplypassage drops abruptly and a suitable signal means such as a red lightresponds to the drop in pressure. To release a layer of fruit into a boxat the packing station, means on the pickup assembly is operable toadmit air to the vacuum supply passage thereby to terminate the vacuumin the vacuum cups.

The counterbalance means of the preferred embodiment of the inventionincludes suitable power means to boost the movement of the pickupassembly and thereby reduce the physical effort required by theoperator. Such a power means may be used to boost the downward movementof the pickup assembly into engagement with a group of fruit at thesupply station. A feature of the invention in this regard is theprovision of two separate manual controls on the pickup assembly whichmust be operated simultaneously by both of the operators hands to avoidany possibility that one hand will be under the pickup means when theboosting action occurs.

A further feature of the preferred embodiment of the invention is theprovision of a boosting force to accelerate the lifting of the pickupassembly when a group of fruit is effectively engaged by the vacuumcups. Preferably, this boosting action occurs automatically in responseto the drop in pressure in the vacuum supply line that signals effectiveengagement of fruit by all of the vacuum cups.

In the preferred practice of the invention the counter-balance meansincludes an upright support structure, an overhead boom mounted on theupper end of the support structure, and a suspension arm supporting thepickup assembly from the boom. With the suspension arm freely swingablerelative to the overhead boom and with the pickup assembly connected tothe lower end of the suspension arm by a universal joint, the pickupassembly is free to assume any desired position relative to thesuspension arm and may be raised or lowered as well as swung between aposition to pick up fruit at the supply station and a position todeposit the fruit in a box at the packing station. For the convenienceof the operator suitable means is provided at the supply station forguidance in positioning the pickup assembly relative to the supply fruitand suitable guide means is provided at the packing station tofacilitate movement of the pickup assembly into a box.

The supply station comprises a channel assembly wherein a plurality ofinclined channels permit gravitational supply of the fruit in parallelrows with the fruit of the successive rows staggered to permit compactlateral nesting of the rows of fruit. The fruit must be free togravitate along the channels for a replenishment of the supply and,therefore, the rows of fruit must be temporarily liberally spaced apartwhenever such replenishment is necessary. On the other hand, the rows offruit must be brought compactly together in nesting relation to form alayer of the fruit. Accordingly, means is provided to expand the channelassembly for replenishment of the supply of fruit and to contract thechannel assembly for compact grouping of the fruit.

A feature of the invention is the concept of providing power means toexpand the channel assembly automatically for fruit replenishment whilethe pickup assembly is away from the supply station and to contract thechannel assembly before the pickup assembly is returned to the supplystation. In the presently preferred practice of the invention the powermeans for expanding and contracting the channel assembly is controlledby a switch means which responds to changes in angle of the suspensionarm relative to the overhead boom on which it is pivotally mounted.

A further feature of the preferred practice of the invention is theconcept of expanding the channel assembly by expanding and contractingthe width of the individual channels instead of expanding andcontracting the spaces between the channels. In one embodiment of theinvention the opposite side walls of each channel are of fixedinclination and the spacing between the two side walls is variable,whereas in another embodiment of the invention the two side walls ofeach channel are variable in inclination for the purpose of varying thewidth of the channels. In either of these two embodiments of theinvention the means for expanding and contracting the width of thechannels comprises a support means that may be expanded or contracted.For example, the support means may be an elastomeric sheet that may bealternately stretched and relaxed to expand and contract the channelassembly or the support means may be a scissor linkage assembly that maybe expanded and contracted for the same purpose.

Further features of the invention are in a control system for assistancein carrying out the operating cycle of the manually movable packers aid.

The features and advantages of the invention may be understood from thefollowing detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings, which are to beregarded as merely illustrative: I

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the presently preferred embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 1-A is a fragmentary view taken as indicated by the line l-A-1-4 ofFIG. 1, the view showing how counter-balance spring means isincorporated in the pivotal connection at the base end of the overheadboom;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary elevational view showing how angular movement ofthe suspension arm operates a switch for controlling the channelassembly at the supply station;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the supply chute at the packing station as seenalong the line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal section of the channel assembly at the supplystation taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary transverse section of the expanded channelassembly taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 5A is a fragmentary section like FIG. 5 of the contracted channelassembly;

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the expanded channel assembly as seenlooking upward along the line 6-6 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 6 showing a portion of thecontracted channel assembly; FIGS, 8, 9, and 10 are fragmentarysectional views taken respectively on the lines 8-8, 99, and 10-10 ofFIG. 6;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of the supply station indicating in phantom howone of the two auxiliary pickup heads of the pickup assembly cooperateswith the main pickup head to pick up a fruit group of one of the twoalternate patterns;

FIG. l1-A is a fragmentary section along the line 11A1 1-A of FIG. 11indicating the construction of an adjustable overhanging bafile at thesupply station;

FIG. 11-8 is a section along the line l1-B-11-B of FIG. 1 1-A;

FIG. 12 is a view like FIG. 11 indicating how the second auxiliarypickup head cooperates with the main auxiliary head to pick up thealternate pattern of fruit;

FIG. 13 is a plan view of the pickup assembly as seen along the line13-13 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 14 is a transverse section of the pickup assembly taken along theline 14-14 of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a longitudinal section of the pickup assembly taken along theline 15-15 of FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary elevational view of the pickup assembly as seenalong the line 16-16 of FIG. 15 and showing how the auxiliary frame thatcarries the two auxiliary pickup heads is latched at one of itsalternate limit positions;

FIG. 17 is an enlarged secton taken as indicated on the line 17-17 ofFIG. 16 to show the latch mechanism;

FIG. 18 is a fragmentary section along the line 18-18 of FIG. 16 alsoshowing the latch mechanism;

FIG. 19 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line l919 ofFIG.

FIG. 20 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 20-20 ofFIG. 14;

FIG. 19A is a diagram of a pneumatic system that may be incorporated inthe control system of the apparatus;

FIG. 20A is a wiring diagram showing the switches that are employed inthe control system;

FIG. 21 is a diagram similar to the diagram of FIG. 19 showing amodification of the pneumatic system that may be employed;

FIG. 22 is a modified wiring diagram showing a switching arrangement forcooperation with the pneumatic system of FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a plan view of a modification of the channel assembly;

FIG. 24 is a section along the line 2424 of FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 is a fragmentary plan view of a folded channel structure;

FIG. 26 is a transverse section along the line 26-26 of FIG. 25;

FIG. 27 is a fragmentary sectional view of a modification of the channelassembly that incorporates the folded structure, the channel assemblybeing shown in contracted state;

FIG. 28 is a view similar to FIG. 27 with the channel assembly expanded;and

FIG. 29 is a view similar to FIG. 27 showing another modification of thechannel assembly incorporating the folded structure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION GENERALARRANGEMENT Referring first to FIG. 1, the apparatus includes: a packingstation to seat a box 30 that is to be packed with citrus fruit; asupply station in the form of an inclined supply chute 32 where rows ofindividual citrus fruit designated F are repeatedly replenished; apickup means or assembly generally designated 34 having vacuum cups 35to engage individual fruit; and means to counterbalance and boost thepickup assembly, the counter-balancing and boosting means including anupright support 36, an overhead boom 38 pivotally mounted on the uprightsupport, and a depending suspension arm 40 which is pivotally connectedto the outer end of the boom and supports the pickup assembly 34 bymeans of a ball-type universal joint 44.

The fruit F that is continually available at the upper end of the supplychute 32 rolls onto a channel assembly, generally designated 45,comprising a plurality of slightly inclined parallel channels down whichthe fruit may roll by gravitation to form parallel rows. Each row offruit abuts an adjustable stop 48 to position each row of fruit instaggered relation to the adjacent row or rows.

The channel assembly has two alternate states, namely, an expanded stateshown in FIG. 3 where the rows of fruit are spaced sufficiently apart topermit the fruit to gravitate down the channels without one rowinterfering with another, and a contracted state shown in FIGS. 11 and12 where the rows of fruit are crowded together sufficiently'to causethe rows to nest together.

To pack the fruit compactly in a box 30 and to minimize bruising of thefruit during shipment, the successive layers of fruit in the box must beof two alternate patterns to permit the successive layers to nesttogether. For example, the shaded fruit in FIG. 11 forms a layer of whatmay be termed a first pattern wherein the first and third rows, countingfrom the left, comprise five fruit each, and the second and third rowscomprise six fruit each. In FIG. 12 the shaded fruit form what may betermed a second pattern wherein the first and third rows each comprisessix fruit while the third and fourth rows each comprises five fruit. Thetwo patterns are complementary to each other in the sense that when onepattern is superimposed on the other, the fruit of the upper patternnest in depressions formed by the lower pattern.

As best shown in FIG. 14, the pickup assembly includes three pickupheads, namely, a main pickup head 50 having three rows of vacuum cups35, a first auxiliary pickup head 52 having a single row of five vacuumcups 35, and a second auxiliary pickup head 54 which also has a row offive vacuum cups 35. In FIG. 14 the first auxiliary head 52 is in itsoperating position alongside the main pickup head 50, while the secondauxiliary pickup head 54 is retracted to an upper idle position.

The two auxiliary heads 52 and 54 are fixedly mounted on an auxiliaryframe 55 which is pivoted to the main frame 56 to rock between twoalternate positions to place the two auxiliary heads alternately attheir operating positions. As indicated by the phantom rectangles 58 inFIGS. 11 and 12, the main pickup head 50 picks up three rows of fruitcomprising two outer rows of six each and an intermediate row of fivefruit. When the first auxiliary head 52 is in its operating position tothe left of the main pickup head as indicated by the phantom outline 60in FIG. 1 l, the pickup assembly is capable of picking up a layer of thefirst pattern and on the other hand when the second auxiliary head 54 isin its operating position as indicated by the phantom outline 62 in FIG12, the pickup assembly is capable of picking up a layer of the secondpattern.

For manual maneuvering of the pickup assembly 34, the main frame 56 isprovided with a rigid left hand handle 64 (FIGS. 13 and 14) and isprovided with a right hand handle 65 that is operatively connected tothe auxiliary frame 55 and may be swung laterally between two alternatepositions to rock the auxiliary frame between its two alternatepositions. The auxiliary frame 55 is automatically latched at each ofits two positions and may be unlatched by depression of a release button66 on the right hand handle.

Referring to FIG. 1, normally all of the vacuum cups 35 of the pickupassembly draw air from the atmosphere because they are in communicationwith a continuously running air pump designated 68, the line ofcommunication including a hose 70 that is connected to the suspensionarm 40 to the pickup assembly. Consequently, whenever all of the vacuumcups of the pickup assembly contact fruit at the supply station, avacuum immediately develops in all of the vacuum cups to cause all ofthe vacuum cups to engage fruit. On the other hand, failure of any onevacuum cup to make effective contact with a fruit prevents creation of avacuum and makes all of the vacuum cups ineffective.

To release a layer of fruit from the pickup assembly into a box 30, theoperator depresses a push button switch 72 (FIG. 13) on the left handhandle 64. As will be explained, the push button switch 72 actuatesremote valve means to shift the connection of the hose 70 with the airpump 68 from the intake port of the pump to the discharge port with theconsequent discharge of compressed air into the vacuum system to causeinstant release of the fruit.

As shown in FIG. 1, the means for boosting the movement of the pickupassembly 34 includes a booster cylinder 74 that is supplied withcompressed air from a suitable source and is pivotally mounted on abracket 75 of the upright support 36. A piston rod 76 extending from thebooster cylinder is pivotally connected to one arm of a lever 78 that ispivotally mounted on a second bracket 80 with the second arm of thelever connected to the overhead boom 38 by means of a cable 82. Thebooster cylinder 74 is remotely controlled by a pair of push buttonswitches 84 (FIG. 13) on the inner sides of the two handles 64 and 65,respectively, the two push button switches being in series so that theboosting action can be created only when the operator actuates bothswitches.

Expansion and contraction of the channel assembly 45 at the supplystation is accomplished by means of a power cylinder 85 shown in FIG. 5,the power cylinder being connected to the previously mentioned source ofcompressed air. To control the power cylinder 85 automatically, a switch86 is mounted on the overhead boom 38, as shown in FIG. 1, and isprovided with an operating arm 88 for actuation by a finger90 on thesuspension arm 40. When the pickup assembly 34 is at the packing stationas shown in FIG. 1, the finger 90 is spaced away from the operating arm88 of the switch and the channel assembly is in its expanded state toSUMMARY OF THE INVENTION CYCLE Normally, the operator continuously gripsboth of the handles 64 and 65 of the pickup assembly for the purpose ofmoving the assembly manually between the supply station and the packingstation. Starting with an empty box 30 at the packing station, themovement of the pickup assembly towards the supply station actuates theswitch 86 to contract the channel assembly 45 to nest together the rowsof fruit as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. With the first auxiliary pickuphead 52 in its operating position to enable the pickup assembly to pickup a layer of the first pattern, and with the pickup assembly poisedimmediately over the fruit on the contracted channel assembly asindicated by the phantom outlines 58 and 60 in FIG. 11, the operatordepresses both of the push button switches 84 on the two handlesrespectively to energize the booster cylinder 74 for downward thrust ofthe pickup assembly against the rows of fruit without requiring anyeffort on the part of the operator.

If all of the vacuum cups 35 make effective engagement with thecorresponding fruit, the pressure in the air line in the suspension arm40 drops abruptly and the operator may note the drop in pressure on apressure gauge 92 on the suspension link 40. In the preferred embodimentof the invention, the drop in air pressure energizes a signal lamp 94 bymeans of a pressureresponsive switch 95 to inform the operator that acomplete layer of fruit is engaged by the pickup means. The operatorthen moves the pickup assembly to the packing station with the weight ofthe loaded pickup assembly largely counterbalanced by a pair of torquesprings 96 (FIG. 1A) that bias the overhead boom 38 upwardly. At thepacking station the operator maneuvers the pickup assembly against aguide bafile 98 (FIGS. 1 and 3) to guide the pickup assembly into theinterior of the box and to compress the suspended layer of fruitlaterally to a slight degree to fit into the box. With the pickupassembly at a'desired position inside the box, the operator depressesthe push button switch 72 to release the new layer of fruit. At thistime while the pickup assembly 34 is at the packing station the finger90 is out of contact with the switch arm 88 to cause the channelassembly 45 to be expanded for free gravitational replenishment of thefruit at the supply station. I

As the operator lifts the pickup assembly 34 from the box 30 and startsthe movement of the pickup assembly towards the supply station, theoperator depresses the release button 66 on the right hand handle andswings the right hand handle counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 13 tocause the auxiliary frame 55 of the pickup assembly to swing to itsalternate position thereby to retract the first pickup head 52 and swingthe second auxiliary pickup head 54 to its effective position. As theoperator continues the movement of the pickup assembly towards thesupply station, the finger on the suspension arm 40 again operates theswitch 86 to cause contraction of the channel assembly thereby to make acompactly grouped new layer of fruit available. With the secondauxiliary pickup head 54 in its lower operating position, the operatormaneuvers the pickup assembly into the position indicated by the phantomlines 58 and 62 in FIG. 12 in preparation for picking up a layer offruit of the second pattern.

Preferably, different pickup assemblies are available for useinterchangeably and different channel assemblies are also available foruse interchangeably to permit changeover from one size of fruit toanother. For

this purpose, the pickup assembly shown in the drawings is releasablefrom the suspension arm 40 at the universal joint 44 and the channelassembly 45 is removably mounted on the supply chute 32.

STRUCTURAL DETAILS OF THE PICKUP ASSEMBLY As heretofore stated, the mainpickup head which comprises the plate 50 is carried by a main frame 56,as best shown in FIG. 14. The main frame includes a longitudinalcylinder 100 best shown in FIG. 15 from which extend four shorthorizontal tubes 102, best shown in FIG. 13, which in turn carrycorresponding downwardly extending tubes 104, best shown in FIG. 14, thelower ends of which carry the main plate or main pickup head 50. Asindicated in FIG. 15, the passage 105 of the tubular suspension arm 40communicates with a diametrical passage 106 of the ball member 108 ofthe previously mentioned universal joint 44 and the passage 106communicates in turn with the interior of the cylinder 100. As bestshown in FIG. 14, a longitudinal vacuum manifold 110 is mounted on thelower ends of two of the downwardly extending tubes 104 and is incommunication with the cylinder 100 through at least one of thedownwardly extending tubes 104 and the corresponding horizontal tube102.

As shown in cross section in FIG. 20, each of vacuum cups 35 of the mainpickup head is mounted on the lower end of a tubular shank 112 which isyieldingly mounted in a corresponding aperture 114 in the plate 50. Inthe construction shown, the tubular shank is yieldingly mounted by apair of opposed spiral springs 115 which nest into corresponding annularseats 116 with one spiral spring backing against the vacuum cup 35 andthe other backing against a flange 118 at the upper end of the tubularshank. As best shown in FIG. 14, the three rows of tubular shanks 112 ofthe main pickup head are connected to the vacuum manifold l by means ofcorresponding flexible tubes 120.

The previously mentioned left hand handle 64 and right hand handle 65are mounted respectively-on two tubes 122 and 124 (FIG. that extendrigidly upwardly from the cylinder 100.

As shown in FIG. 15, the previously mentioned auxiliary frame 55includes two caps 125 that are rotatably mounted on the opposite endsrespectively of the cylinder 100. As shown in FIG. 14, the longitudinalplate 52 that comprises the first auxiliary head is mounted on alongitudinal vacuum manifold 127, and, as shown in FIGS. 13, 14, and 15,the two ends of the vacuum manifold are mounted on the two rotatablycaps 125 and 126 by angular tubular arms 128 and 130, respectively. Inlike manner, the plate 54 that comprises the second auxiliary frame ismounted on a vacuum manifold 132 which is carried by two angular tubulararms 134 and 135 which in turn are mounted on the same two rotary caps125 and 126, respectively. As may be seen in FIG. 14, the vacuum cups 35of the two auxiliary pickup heads 52 and 54 are supported by spiralsprings in the manner heretofore described with the tubular shanks 112of the vacuum cups connected to the vacuum manifolds 126 and 132 bysuitable flexible tubes 120.

As heretofore stated, when the pickup assembly 34 is in use, the airpump 68 continuously withdraws air from the atmosphere through thevacuum cups 35 of the main pickup head and the vacuum cups of whicheverauxiliary pickup head is in its operating position and it is essentialthat the vacuum cups of whichever auxiliary head is retracted becompletely cut off from the air pump. FIG. 19 shows a valve arrangementwhich places the air pump in communication with the vacuum cups ofwhichever auxiliary pickup head is in use and at the same time cuts ofithe vacuum cups of the other auxiliary head.

In FIG. 19, an angular tubular arm 128 of the first auxiliary head 52 isconnected to the rotary cap 125 and the corresponding angular tubulararm 134 of the second auxiliary head 54 is also connected to the samecap at an angle of relative to the angular tubular arm 128. The rotarycap 125 has a port 138 in communication with the angular arm 128 and aport 140 in communication with the angular tubular arm 134. As shown inFIGS. 15 and 19, a bushing 142 which is fixedly mounted in the cylinderextends into the cap to function as a valve member. For this purpose thebushing 142 is formed with two diametrically opposite radial ports 144and 145.

When the first auxiliary pickup head 52 is in its lower effectiveposition as shown in FIG. 14, the angular tubular arm 128 is incommunication with the cap 125, as may be seen in FIG. 19, and thus isin communication with the interior of cylinder 100, but since port ofthe rotary cap is out of register with ports 144 and 145 of bushing 142,the second auxiliary pickup head 54,

which is in its upper retracted position, is cut off from 1communication with the air pump. Thus, rotating the auxiliary frame 55between its two limit positions alternately places the air pump incommunication with the two auxiliary pickup heads.

For the purpose of manually rocking the auxiliary frame 55 between itstwo alternate positions, the right hand handle 65 has a downwardcylindrical extension 146 by means of which it is rotatably mounted onthe upper end of the upright tube 124. As shown in FIG. 17, thecylindrical extension 146 of the right hand handle 65 is rigidlyconnected by a set screw 147 to the upper end of a tubular control shaft148. As shown in FIG. 15, the lower end of the tubular control shaft 148carries a bevelled gear 150 in mesh with a bevelled gear 152 on alongitudinal shaft 154 that is joumalled in the cylinder 100 and iskeyed to the end cap 126 for rotation of the auxiliaryframe 55. At theposition of the right hand handle 65 that is shown in FIGS. 13 and 15,the auxiliary frame is rotated to the limit position at which theauxiliary head 52 is in its lower effective position and the auxiliaryhead 54 is in its elevated ineffective position. If the right handhandle 65 is swung approximately 45 counterclockwise from the positionshown in FIG. 13, the two bevelled gears cooperate to rock the auxiliaryframe to its alternate limit position.

The means for releasably latching the auxiliary frame 55 at its twoalternate positions is shown in FIGS. 16-18. FIG. 17 shows how a latchlever 155 for cooperation with the auxiliary frame 55 is mounted on theupwardly extending tube 124 of the main frame for cooperationalternately with latch shoes 156 and 158 which are fixedly mountedrespectively on the angular arms 130 and 136 of the two auxiliaryframes. The latch lever 155 is mounted by a pivot 160 on a bracket 162that extends into a longitudinal slot 164 of the upwardly extending tube124, the bracket being integral with and carried by a thin collar 165that is secured by a screw 166. The lower arm of the latch lever 155 isadapted for releasable engagement with the two latch shoes 156 and 158and is biased towards it effective position by a leaf spring 168 thatpresses against the upper arm of the latch lever. As may be seen in FIG.18, each of the two latch shoes 156 and 158 has a tapered nose 170 sothat as the latch shoe approaches the latch lever 155 the tapered noseinitially cams the latch lever inwardly until the latch lever snaps intoengagement with a notch 172 of the latch shoe.

The upper arm of the latch lever 155 has a lateral extension 174 thatextends through a slot 175 of the tubular control shaft 148 into theinterior of the control shaft. Since the control shaft 148 rotatesthrough a range of 45, the slot 175 has a circumferential extent ofslightly more than 45. The previously mentioned latch button 66 is onthe upper end of a release pin 176 that has a tapered nose 178 for camaction on the lateral extension 174 of the latch lever, the release pinbeing biased to its upper limit position by a coil spring 180.

It is apparent that whenever the right hand handle 65 is swung to rookthe auxiliary frame 55 to one of its alternate limit positions, thecorresponding latch shoe 156 or 158 automatically cooperates with thelatch lever 155 to latch the auxiliary frame at the limit position. Torelease the latch lever 155 it is merely necessary for the operator todepress the release button 66. Thus, to rock the auxiliary frame 55 fromone of its limit positions to the other, the operator momentarilydepresses the release button 66 and simultaneously swings the right handhandle 65, the release button being immediately released to permitautomatic latch of the auxiliary frame at its new limit position.

DETAILS OF THE OVERHEAD COUNTERBALANCING STRUCTURE FIGS. 1 and 1-A showhow the upper end of the upright support 36 may be provided with a hingeyoke 182 having a shank 184 that may be either fixedly or rotatablymounted in the upright support. An advantage of fixedly mounting thehinge yoke 182 is that it keeps the overhead boom 38 in a vertical planethrough the packing station and the supply station and thus tends tokeep the pickup assembly 34 on the path of least distance between thetwo stations.

As shown in FIG. 1-A, the hinge yoke 182 has two parallel arms 185 thatare spanned by a hinge pin 186.

The inner end of the overhead boom 38 has a similar hinge yoke 202 withtwo parallel arms 204 that are pivotally mounted on the same hinge pin.An angular adjustment arm 205 is also pivotally mounted on the hinge pin186 centrally thereof and carries an adjustment screw 206 that abutsagainst the shank 184 of the yoke 182. The adjustment screw 206 isprovided with a convenient operating handle 208 and is further providedwith a wing nut 210 that serves as a lock nut to releasably maintain theadjustment screw at any position to which it may be rotated.

As shown in FIG. 1-A, each torque spring of a pair of previouslymentioned torque springs 96 has one end 214 bearing against the angularadjustment arm 205 and has a second opposite end 215 bearing against theyoke 202 to tend to swing the overhead boom 38 upwardly, thereby tocounterbalance the pickup assembly 34. It is apparent that the upwardforce exerted by the two torque springs 96 on the overhead boom 38 maybe varied by the adjustment screw 206. Thus, in changing over from onepickup assembly 34 to another pickup assembly for packing fruit of adifferent size, the operator may release the lock nut 210 and rotate theadjustment screw 206 to provide whatever change in the counterbalancingforce is desired.

By virtue of the torque springs the pickup assembly is yieldinglysupported so that when it is loaded with fruit it is supported at arelatively low level and when it is not loaded it is supported at ahigher level. Thus, the effort required by the operator is only theslight effort required to move the pickup assembly at one of the levelsor to vary the level.

DETAILS OF THE STRUCTURE AT THE PACKING STATION Referring to FIGS. 1 and3, a box 30 at the packing station rests on a series of rollers 216which permit easy egress of the packed box from the packing station andthe box is surrounded on three sides by a frame generally designated 218which is open at one end. The frame 218 is provided at its open end witha resilient latch member 220 which releasably retains a box in theframe. In this instance the box 30 is a corrugated paper carton and thelatch member engages what may be termed the front end of the carton. Asshown in FIG. 1, one side flap 222 of the carton is held in foldedposition by the adjacent structure of the supply chute 32 and theopposite side flap 224 is held in folded position by a hook 225 on theside of the frame 218. The flap at the rear end of the carton is foldeddown between the carton and the frame 218 and the flap 226 at the frontend of the carton may be unrestrained.

The previously mentioned guide baffle 98 is positioned to overhang therear end of the carton and is of convergent configuration in that itsrear wall 228 and its two short side walls 230 are inclined with theupper open side of the guide baffle flared outwardly to greater crossdimension than the carton and with the lower open side of the guidebaffle of substantially the same inside dimension as the carton. Thus,when the pickup assembly 34 is guided to the interior of the carton bythe guide baffle 98, the guide bafile aligns one end of the pickupassembly with the rear end of the carton and when the pickup assembly ismoved downwardly the layer of fruit thereon is slightly contracted toconform to the inside dimensions of the carton. In the constructionshown the guide baffle 98 is provided with a rearwardly extended shank232 that is releasably gripped by a split sleeve 236 on the upper end ofa support post 238.

THE STRUCTURE AT THE SUPPLY STATION Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, thesupply chute 32, which is supported by suitable legs 240, has adownwardly sloping base plate 242 and two upright side panels 244 withthe previously mentioned downwardly sloping channel assembly 45 spacedabove the base plate. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the channel assembly 45includes a series of what may be termed ridge members which form sevendownwardly sloping channels or troughs to provide seven rows of thecitrus fruit. The ridge members comprise two halfridge members 245 atthe opposite sides of the assembly and six full ridge members spacedbetween the two half-ridge members in parallel relationship thereto.

As may be seen in FIG. 5, each of the full ridge members 246 is of thegeneral configuration of an inverted letter V with two oppositelyinclined channel walls 248 and each of the half-ridge members providesonly a single inclined channel wall 248. As may be seen in FIG. 3, eachrow of the citrus fruit comes to rest against a previously mentionedstop 48 and the seven stops are staggered or ofiset to cause the sevenrows of fruit to be staggered with the individual fruit of one rowopposite the junctures of two fruit of an adjacent row. As best shown inFIG. 4, each stop 48 may comprise a disk on a screw 254 that is mountedon a corresponding bracket 255, the screw being provided with a thumbnut 256 to serve as a lock nut for maintaining any adjustment at whichthe stop may be placed.

When the channel assembly 45 is in its expanded state shown in FIGS. 3and 5, the ridge members are spaced relatively far apart to make theseven channels relatively wide and since the fruit seek the longitudinalcenter of each channel, the seven rows of fruit are spaced apartsufficiently to avoid interference with each other and to permit freegravitational movement of the fruit from a suitable supply hopper (notshown) at the upper end of the sloping channel assembly. On the otherhand, when the channel assembly 45 is in the contracted state shown inFIGS. 5-A and 11, the seven channels or troughs are narrowed to bringthe seven rows of fruit together into nesting relationship.

At their lower ends, the eight ridge members are provided withdownwardly extending legs 258, shown in FIG. 4, that are freely slidableon the surface of the base plate 242. Near their upper ends, the eightridge members are supported by a relatively narrow transverse supportplate 260, the opposite ends of which are spaced above the base plate242 by support blocks 262, shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. Referring to thebottom plan view in FIG. 6 and the fragmentary longitudinal sectionalview in FIG. 5, the support plate 260 carries a bracket 264 on itsunderside which divides the support plate into two longitudinal halves,and each of the longitudinal halves is formed with a correspondinglongitudinal slot 265 which is of stepped cross sectional configurationas shown in FIG. 10.

The mechanism for laterallyexpanding and contracting the channelassembly 45 is illustrated by FIGS. 4-10 and will now be described.

The eight ridge members 245, 246 which rest on the transverse supportplate 260 are interconnected by eight pairs of scissor links 270 whichform a lazy tong assembly that may be expanded and contracted whilemaintaining the ridge members parallel and at equal spacing. Thus, ifthe channel assembly expands and contracts, the spacing between theridge members changes in proportion.

The mid-portions of the two scissor links 270 of each pair of scissorlinks share a common central pivot member 272. On one side of the lazytong assembly, which is the lower side as viewed in FIG. 6, thesuccessive outer ends of the pairs of scissor links 270 areinterconnected by pivot members 274 which are fixedly mounted on thesuccessive ridge members 245, 246. In the construction shown in thedrawings, the underside of each end of each of the ridge members 245,246 has a fixed cross bar 275 and the'two cross bars at the oppositeends of a ridge member are mounted on the opposite ends of a support bar276 that extends longitudinally of the ridge member. The pivot members274 are fixedly mounted on the underside of the support bars 276 nearends thereof.

On the opposite side of the lazy tong assembly, which is the upper sideas viewed in FIG. 6, the outer ends of the successive pairs of scissorlinks 270 share common pivot members 278 which, as indicated in FIG. 6and 8, are slidingly mounted in short slots 280 of the support bars 276of the corresponding ridge members 245, 246, the short slots being ofstepped cross sectional configuration. For the purpose of permittinglongitudinal expansion and contraction of the lazy tong assembly, theseven central pivot members 272 must be variable in their spacing andfor this purpose three of the central pivot members are mounted in oneof the two longitudinal slots 265 of the transverse support plate 260,the remaining four pivot members being slidingly mounted in the otherlongitudinal slot.

Expansion and contraction of the lazy tong assembly in a manner thatkeeps the lazy tong assembly centralized relative to the transversesupport plate 260 may be provided by a mechanism which will now bedescribed.

Two rocker arms 282 journalled in the bracket 264 on the underside ofthe transverse support plate 260 are integral with two correspondingintermeshed pinions 284 by means of which they are synchronized forswinging movement towards and away from each other. The outer ends ofthe two rocker arms 282 are connected by pivots 285 to the inner ends oftwo corresponding longitudinal links 286 and the outer ends of thelongitudinal links are connected by pivots 288 to the two oppositehalf-ridge members 245, respectively. Thus, when the two rocker arms 282are swung close together as shown in FIG. 7, the lazy tong assembly iscontracted and when the rocker arms are swung away from each other asshown in FIG. 6, the lazy tong assembly is expanded.

The two rocker arms 282 are actuated by the previously mentioned powercylinder and for this purpose, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a piston rod290 extending from the power cylinder is pivotally connected to a crankarm 292 that is in turn operatively connected to one of the two rockerarms. In the construction shown, the crank am 292 is carried by a stubshaft 294 that is journalled in a suitable bearing 295 on the undersideof the base plate 242 of the supply chute and a spindle 296 extendingdownwardly from one of the pinions carries a cross pin 298 at its lowerend which seats in a diametrical recess (not shown) in the upper end ofthe stub shaft. By virtue of this arrangement, the lazy tong assemblytogether with the channel assembly 45 of which it is a part may belifted away from the stub shaft 294 when desired.

The reason for releasably connecting the lazy tong linkage to the stubshaft 294 is to permit one channel assembly 45 to be substituted foranother channel assembly when a changeover is made from one size ofcitrus fruit to another. To make a channel assembly removable from thesupply chute each end of the transverse support plate 260 is providedwith a fixed downwardly extending pin WI which seats in a bore 302 in acorresponding support block 262. The pin 300 is releasably engaged by amanually operable set screw 304 having a knob 305 on the outer side ofthe corresponding side panel 244 of the supply chute.

It is apparent that extension and retraction of the piston rod 290 willcause lateral expansion and contraction of the channel assembly 45 andthat one channel assembly may be readily substituted for another channelassembly when desired.

When citrus fruit is fed from a bulk supply, an overhanging baffledesignated 306 in FIGS. 11 and l1-A is necessary to keep more than onelayer of fruit from moving onto the channel assembly. A feature of theinvention in this respect is that the overhanging baffle 306 providesguide means for correctly positioning the pickup assembly 34 at thesupply station. In the construction shown, a guide means 308 for thispurpose is in the form of a bracket that slidingly straddles theoverhanging baffle 306 and is releasably secured at any desired positionby means of a pair of thumb screws 310.

In FIG. 11 where the pickup assembly 34 is represented in phantom withthe main pickup head represented by the outline 58, the pickup assemblyis adjusted to pick up a layer of the first pattern and the viewindicates how one corner of the main pickup head abuts both theoverhanging baffle 306 and the guide bracket 308. In FIG. 12 where thepickup assembly is adjusted to pick up a layer of the second pattern,the second auxiliary pickup head represented by the outline 62 is inabutment with both the overhanging baffle and the guide bracket.

Since the overhanging baffle 306 must be raised and lowered for fruit ofdifferent sizes and to cooperate with different interchangeable channelassemblies and since the overhead baffle must be adjustable forwardlyand rearwardly for guiding cooperation with difierent interchangeablepickup assemblies, some convenient means is required to permit thevarious kinds of adjustment.

As shown in FIG. 11, each end of the overhanging baffle 306 is supportedby a bracket 312 that is unitary with a travelling nut 314 on ahorizontal screw 315, each horizontal screw being suitably joumalled inbearings on the corresponding side panel 244 of the supply chute andbeing manually rotatable by a forward crank 316. As shown in FIG. 11-A,each of the brackets 312 is U-shaped with two parallel horizontal arms318 and is provided with two vertically spaced lugs 320 for slidingcontact with the side panel 244 to maintain the bracket in uprightposition.

FIG. ll-A shows how each end of the overhanging baffle 306 is unitedwith an upright internally threaded sleeve 322 and slidingly extendsthrough a slot 325 in the upper arm 308 of the bracket 312, the slotproviding a necessary degree of freedom for the sleeve to tilt. Thesleeve 322 is mounted on and supported by an upright adjustment screw326 having an upper knob 328 for manual rotation. The adjustment screw326 has a flanged fitting 332 on its lower end by means of which it isjoumalled in a bore 332 in the lower bracket arm 308. Since manualrotation of one of the horizontal screws 315 by its crank 316 changesthe distance between the two brackets 312, the overhanging baffle 306must be capable of longitudinal expansion and contraction. For thispurpose, as shown in FIGS. ll-A and l1-B, the overhanging baffle is madein two sections 306a and 306b which telescope together. The section 306ais in the form of a flat plate and the section 306b is provided withlongitudinal flanges 334 that slidingly confine the oppositelongitudinal edges of the first section. It is apparent that appropriatemanipulation of the two cranks 316 and the two adjustment screws 326make it possible to place the overhanging baffle in any desiredoperating position.

CONTROL SYSTEM In the pneumatic system shown in FIG. 19A, a suitablesource of compressed air (not shown) is connected through apressure-reducing valve 335 with a line 336 that leads to a port of atwo-position directional control valve 338 that is operated by asolenoid 340. A second port of the directional control valve 338 isconnected by a line 342 to one end of the previously mentioned powercylinder that expands and contracts the channel assembly 45 and a thirdport is connected by a line 344 to the other end of the power cylinder.Each of the lines 342 and 344 may be provided with a correspondingflow-rate control valve 345 having an integral check. A fourth port ofthe directional control valve 338 communicates with the atmospherethrough a muffler 346.

A line 347 branching from the line 336 incorporates a pressure-reducingvalve 348 and is connected to a port of a two-position directionalcontrol valve 350 that is operated by a solenoid 352. A second port ofthe directional control valve 350 is connected by a line 354 to one endof the previously mentioned booster cylinder 74 and a third port isconnected by a line 355 with the other end of the booster cylinder. Eachof the two lines 354 and 355 may incorporate a corresponding flow-ratecontrol valve 356 that has an integral check. A fourth port of thedirectional control valve 350 communicates with the atmosphere through amuffler 358.

The outlet port of the previously mentioned air pump 68 is connected toa relief valve 360 and to a line 362 to a port of a two-positiondirectional control valve 364 that is operated by a solenoid 365. Theintake port of the air pump 68 is connected by a line 366 to a secondport of the directional control valve 364. A third port of the valve 364communicates with the atmosphere through a muffler 368 and a fourth portis connected through a valve 370 and a filter 372 to the previouslymentioned passage 105 of the suspension arm 40, which passagecommunicates with the vacuum cups on the pickup assembly 34. Asheretofore described, the passage 105 is connected to a gauge 92 and toa pressure switch 95 that controls the previously mentioned signal lamp94.

The wiring diagram shown in FIG. 20A relates to the pneumatic systemshown in FIG. 19A and includes the following: a master switch 374 forplacing the pickup assembly 34 in operation; the previously mentionedswitch 86 on the overhead boom 48 for controlling the solenoid 340 ofthe master control valve 338 that operates the power cylinder 85 forexpanding and contracting the channel assembly 45, the two previouslymentioned push button switches 84 on the pickup assembly 34 that are inseries with each other and in series with the solenoid 352 of thedirectional control valve 350 for the booster cylinder 74 that booststhe downward movement of the pickup assembly; and the previouslymentioned push button switch 72 on the pickup assembly that is in serieswith the solenoid 365 of the directional control valve 364 that isassociated with the air pump 68.

When the movement of the pickup assembly 34 towards the supply stationcloses the switch 86, the energization of the solenoid 340 actuates thepower cylinder 85 to contract the channel assembly 45. When the pickupassembly 34 is poised over the fruit on the contracted channel assembly45, closing of the two push button switches 84 on the pickup assemblyenergizes the solenoid 352 to cause the booster cylinder 74 to boost thepickup assembly downwardly into engagement with the fruit on the channelassembly.

When the solenoid 365 of the directional control valve 364 isdeenergized, the intake line 366 of the air pump 68 is connected tothepassage 105 that leads to the pickup assembly and air is continuouslyevacuated from the vacuum cups 35 so that movement of the vacuum cupsinto abutment with fruit at the supply station causes the vacuum cups toengage the fruit. The consequent energization of the signal lamp 94indicates that all of the vacuum cups are in effective engagement withthe fruit. When the push button switch 72 is subsequently closed torelease a layer of fruit to the carton 30, the solenoid 365 operates thedirectional control valve 364 to connect the intake line 366 of the airpump with the muffler 368 and to connect the output line 362 with thepassage 105 to destroy the vacuum in the vacuum system.

FIGS. 21 and 22 show modifications of the pneumatic system and thewiring diagram, respectively, which provide foran automatic upward boostof the pickup assembly 34 in response to engagement of all of the vacuumcups with a layer of fruit on the channel assembly 45.

As indicated by the reference numerals in FIG. 21, the componentsrelating to the power cylinder 85 and the components relating to the airpump 68 are the same as in FIG. 19A, the modification of the systemrelating solely to the booster cylinder 74 that applies boosting actionto the overhead boom 38.

Since the piston 76 of the booster cylinder 74 must be capable ofapplying upward boosting movement to the overhead boom as well asdownward boosting movement, the previously mentioned lever 78 that isoperated by the piston rod is connected to the overhead boom 38 by arigid link 380 instead of being connected to the boom by the previouslymentioned cable 82. A further modification is the provision of thepiston rod 76 with a collar 382 that trips the arm 384 of a normallyclosed switch 385.

The booster cylinder 74 is controlled by a three-position directionalcontrol valve 386 that may be shifted in one direction from its normalneutral position by a solenoid 388 and may be shifted in the oppositedirection by a solenoid 390.

A line 392 connects one port of the three-position I directional controlvalve 386 with the upper end of the booster cylinder 74, and a line 384from another port of the valve is connected to the lower end of thepower cylinder, each of these two lines being provided with a flow ratecontrol valve 395 that has an integral check. At the central neutralposition of the directional control valve 386, both of the lines 392 and395 are connected through the open center of the valve with theatmosphere to place the piston in the booster cylinder 74 in a freefloating state. Compressed air is supplied to the directional controlvalve 386 through a pressure reducing valve 396 and a line 398. When thesolenoid 388 is actuated, the directional valve 386 connects the highpressure line 398 to the lower end of the booster cylinder 174 forupward movement of the piston rod 76 to boost the overhead boom 38downwardly to cause the vacuum cups of the pickup assembly 34 to engagethe fruit at the supply station. On the other hand, when the solenoid390 is actuated the high pressure line 398 is connected to the upper endof the booster cylinder 74 to move the piston rod 76 downwardly forupward movement of the overhead boom to accelerate the pickup assembly34 upwardly when the vacuum cups effectively engage fruit at the supplystation.

The wiring diagram shown in FIG. 22 includes the following: a masterswitch 400 to make the apparatus operational; the previously mentionedswitch 86 in series with the solenoid 340 for controlling expansion andcontraction of the channel assembly 45; the previously mentioned pushbutton switches 84 which are in series with each other and in seriesboth with the valve solenoid 388 and a normally closed switch 402; anormally opened switch 404 which is in series with both the valvesolenoid 390 and the above mentioned normally closed switch 385; and thepush button switch 72 that is in series with the solenoid 365 of thedirectional control valve 364 that is associated with the air pump 368.

In FIG. 22 the dotted line 406 represents the vacuum system that isconnected to the vacuum cups 35. The two switches 402 are pressureswitches that respond to changes in pressure in the vacuum system.Normally, the pressure is relatively-high because all of the vacuum cupsare open to the atmosphere and switch 402 is closed and switch 404 isopen. If all of the vacuum cups are blocked by fruit, the pressure dropsto open switch 402 and close switch 404.

With the pickup assembly 34 poised above a layer of fruit at the supplystation, simultaneous depression of p the two push buttons 84 actuatesthe solenoid 388 to apply downward boosting force to the pickup assemblyto bring the vacuum cups into engagement with the fruit. If all of thevacuum cups make effective engagement with fruit, the consequent drop inpressure in the vacuum system opens the vacuum switch 402 to deenergizethe valve solenoid 388 and at the same time the drop in pressure closesthe vacuum switch 404 to energize the valve solenoid 390 and a signallamp 405, the signal lamp replacing the previously mentioned signal lamp94 on the suspension arm 4. Energization of the valve solenoid 390connects the high pressure line 398 to the upper end of the boostercylinder 74 to move the piston rod 76 downwardly to cause the desiredupward acceleration of the pickup assembly. When the downward movementof the piston rod 76 approaches the lower limit position, the collar 382opens the switch 385 to de-energize the solenoid 390 and thereby restorethe three-position directional valve 386 to its neutral position torestore the piston in the booster cylinder 74 to its normal freefloating state.

1. In an apparatus for picking up fruit at a supply station anddepositing the fruit in a container at a packing station, theimprovement comprising: a channel assembly at the supply stationcomprising a plurality of channels positioned side by side to form thefruit into corresponding rows with the fruit of the successive rowsstaggered, the individual channels being expandable in width to spacethe rows of fruit apart to permit the fruit to roll freely onto theassembly and being contractible in width to crowd the rows together fornesting of the rows of fruit, each channel being formed by a pair ofopposite fixedly inclined walls, said walls of each channel beingvariable in spacing to vary the width of the channel; and meansinterconnecting the walls of the channel assembly, said interconnectingmeans being expansible and contractible to vary the spacing of the wallsof the individual channels simultaneously, said interconnecting meanscomprising an elastomeric member capable of stretching to expand thechannel assembly and vice versa, said elastomeric member being attachedat spaced points thereof to spaced points of the channel assembly.
 2. Inan apparatus for picking up fruit at a supply station and depositing thefruit in a container at a packing station, the improvement comprising: achannel assembly at the supply station comprising a plurality ofchannels positioned side by side to form the fruit into correspondingrows with the fruit of the successive rows staggered, each of saidchannels being formed by a pair of oppositely inclined side wallmembers; and means to increase and decrease the inclination of the sidewall members of the channels simultaneously thereby to vary the width ofthe channels simultaneously.
 3. A combination as set forth in claim 2 inwhich the lower edges of the two side wall members of each channel arehingedly interconnected.
 4. A combination as set forth in claim 2 inwhich the upper longitudinal edges of adjacent side walls of thesuccessive channels are hingedly interconnected.
 5. A combination as setforth in claim 4 which includes a plurality of support meanscorresponding to the plurality of channels, each support means beinghingedly connected to the lower edges of the two side walls of thecorresponding channel; and which includes means to vary the spacing ofthe plurality of support means simultaneously thereby to vary the widthof the channels and the inclination of the side walls of the channelssimultaneously.
 6. A combination as set forth in claim 5 in which themeans to vary the spacing of the plurality of support means compriseselastomeric means connected at spaced points thereof to the individualsupport means respectively whereby stretching the elastomeric meansincreases the spacing of the support means.
 7. A combination as setforth in claim 5 in which the means to vary the spacing of the pluralityof support means comprises a scissor linkage interconnecting the supportmeans.
 8. In an apparatus of the character described having a slopingchannel assembly for gravitational rolling of fruit in rows to a supplystation, wherein a baffle overhangs the channel assembly to keep twolayers of fruit from forming at the supply station, the improvementcomprising: adjustment means to vary the elevation of the baffle; andadjustment means to shift the baffle forwardly and rearwardly.
 9. Theimprovement as set forth in claim 8 in which the opposite ends of thebaffle are independently movable forwardly and rearwardly; and in whichthe baffle means is expansible and contractible in length.
 10. In anapparatus for forming ball-like objects into nested rows, thecombination of: a channel assembly forming a plurality of parallelchannels positioned to receive the ball-like objects from a source andto form the ball-like objects into parallel rows with the objects ofeach row staggered relative to the objects of an adjacent row oradjacent rows, said assembly being expansible and contractible in itsplane in transverse dimension for expansion to space the rows of objectsapart to permit free rolling movement of the objects along the channelswithout interference among the rows of objects and for contraction tonest the rows together; support structure below the channel assembly andseparate from the channel assembly; means connecting at least threelaterally spaced longitudinal portions of said channel assembly tocorresponding laterally spaced portions of said support structure, saidsupport structure being expansible and contractible in cross dimensionwith the spacing between said longitudinal portions thereof varyingaccordingly in proportion to the expansion and contraction; and means toexpand and contract the support structure in transverse dimension tocause corresponding expansion and contraction of the channel assemblywith corresponding increase and decrease in the spacing of the rows ofobjects on the channel assembly.
 11. A combination as set forth in claim10 in which said channel assembly comprises parallel discrete ridgemembers defining longitudinal sides of the channels, said ridge membersbeing mounted on corresponding portions of the support structure.
 12. Acombination as set forth in claim 11 in which said ridge members arerigid members with laterally sloping portions forming longitudinal sidesof the channels.
 13. A combination as set forth in claim 11 in whichsaid support structure comprises a plurality of spaced support meansconnected to the ridge members together with means to vary the spacingof the plurality of support means.
 14. A combination as set forth inclaim 13 in which said means to vary the spacing of the support meansincludes scissor linkage means interconnecting the individual supportmeans.
 15. A combination as set forth in claim 13 in which said means tovary the spacing of the plurality of support means comprises lazy-tongmeans interconnecting the individual support means.
 16. A combination asset forth in claim 10 in which said support structure incorporates alazy-tong linkage.
 17. A combination as set forth in claim 10 in whichsaid support structure includes an elastomeric web and means engagingthe opposite longitudinal sides of the web to stretch the webtransversely to increase the spacing of the plurality of support meansproportionately.
 18. A combination as set forth in claim 10 in whichsaid channel assembly comprises a web having the configuration of thefolds of the bellows part of an accordion, said configuration includingupper folds and lower folds, the lower folds of the configuration beingmounted on corresponding portions of the support structure.
 19. Acombination as set forth in claim 10 in which the bottoms of saidparallel channels of the assembly are attached to the support structure;in which each channel has oppositely inclined side walls free to swingthrough a range of angles relative to the support structure; and inwhich the side walls of the successive pairs of channels are hingedlyinterconnected whereby expansion of the support structure causesincreased spacing of the bottoms of the channels and outward swinging ofthe side walls of the channels.
 20. A combination as set forth in claim19 in which said support structure incorporates scissor linkages.
 21. Acombination as set forth in claim 19 in which said support structureincorporates a lazy-tong linkage.
 22. A combination as set forth inclaim 19 in which said support structure comprises an elastic sheet. 23.A combination as set forth in claim 19 in which each of said channelshas a bottom wall attached to the support structure, the side walls ofthe channels being hingedly connected to the bottom walls of thechannels.